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The unemployment rate for the State of Arizona's for August 2012 was static at 8.3%. In August, there were roughly 250,000 unemployed workers in Arizona. This is an increase of only 900 individuals over the previous month. Additionally, the number of employed in AZ went down by around 3,300 workers to around 2.75 million. This number, however, was mostly offset by a subsequent fall of 2,400 in the total workforce for the month. Collectively, these statistics result in the unchanged August unemployment rate.

When we compare to a year ago in August 2011, we see that the current 8.3% rate is still significantly better than the year-ago rate of 9.5%. The impact of the big drop was around 37,500 fewer unemployed people in Arizona in August 2012 vs. August 2011. Moreover, during that time frame there were about 19,000 more employed people in the state. Additionally, while the recent trend for many states has been up in recent months, Arizona's unemployment rate has mainly dropped for 2012. In comparison to the national average Arizona's August 8.3% rate is just slightly (0.2%) higher than the U.S. average.

The August 2012 employment numbers for Arizona's major business sectors in are predominantly unfavorable. This included Education & Health Services, Mining & Logging, Construction, Manufacturing, Leisure & Hospitality, and Government. A few industries did manage gains in August, including Financial Activities, Trade Transportation & Utilities, and Professional & Business Services. The business sector with the greatest percentage gain in AZ during the past year was Construction - up by 6.7%. The major business sector with the largest drop in employment during the prior 12 months was Other Services - down by 1.8%. The business sector with the most employed in AZ was Trade Transportation and Utilities with about 485,400 workers.

When compared to other States in the area, Arizona's August 2012 unemployment rate is about average. Higher than Arizona in August 2012 are the States of California (10.6%) and Nevada (12.1% - still one of the highest in the nation). State's with lower unemployment rates include Colorado (8.2%), New Mexico (6.5%), Utah (5.8%), and Wyoming (5.7%).

In a few weeks the employment numbers for Arizona for September 2012 will be available. When they are we'll review the statistics and look at the trends for the State. Please remember that previously released employment statistics might be modified at a later date.